Fig, Rosemary, & Goat Cheese Tartines

Figs are a rare indulgence here in the midwest. Their season is short, just late summer and early fall, and their delicate nature makes them difficult to ship, so they are especially scarce in areas outside of where they are grown.

When T-Hubs and I were on our honeymoon last year, on the coast of Oregon, I was lucky enough to taste some of the first figs of the season. They were without a doubt the sweetest figs I had ever had, grown just a stones throw away from where we were staying. Here in Michigan, I’m always keeping my eye out for figs even close to that fresh and sweet. And when I find them, I snatch them up, because I know they won’t be here for long.

Figs have always felt like a good omen, to me. A sign of the changing of seasons, sweet like summer, tender like fall, and only available for those fleeting weeks between the two when the days start getting shorter and the nights cooler. The smell of figs is the smell of change.

This is one of my favorite times of year, and I always find myself inspired to make changes in my own life. Kind of like spring cleaning, early fall feels like an open door to new and better things.

The first change I knew I wanted to make this season was right here on the blog. Did you notice a difference? I owe the new design to the insanely talented Melissa, of Fine Lime Designs. This blog is my baby, and making changes to it isn’t something I would entrust to just anybody. Melissa brought so much to the new look — you probably already noticed the fresh fonts and cleaner layout — but there’s so much more! Like the all new “Recipe Index” at the top of the page (that’s been a long time coming), or the revamped “About” page (where you can get to know more about yours truly), or the freshly minted “Print” button on each recipe (I know a lot of you have been asking for an easy way to print my recipes, and now you finally can). And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Honestly, I cannot express how happy this makes me. This is what I had in mind when I switched my site from blogger to wordpress at the beginning of this year. Making that switch, and then spending the next few months in the hospital with my dad, made this place look like a teenager’s bedroom that hadn’t been cleaned since… ever. I had no idea what I was doing, and no real time to figure it out. There was no organization, and very little functionality. I cannot thank Melissa enough for the help she’s given me in cleaning up this space, and making it something I could be proud of again.

Ah… change is good. So are figs. Please feel free to click around the site and explore. Oh, and make these fig & goat cheese tartines (they’ve been my lunch the past few days) and let me know what you think!

24 Responses to Fig, Rosemary, & Goat Cheese Tartines

Hi! I also love fall and figs!
this year I really miss them, because I used to eat plenty of scrumptious figs straight from my backyard in Portugal, but those one can find here in Germany are not even worth buying :(
I really like your new design, great change!
Have a nice week,
Inês

Thanks, Inês! I know what you mean. Figs here in Michigan are pretty sad, usually. We’re lucky to get any that aren’t hard as rocks, or complete mush. There’s nothing like real, fresh figs straight from the tree!

Not only does this recipe contain some of my all time favorite ingredients in the same place, the photos are RIDICULOUS! You have really outdone yourself with this one! And the new blog design – so perfect! I love everything about it – and I’m totally stealing that other work page idea for my redesign, what a great way to see all of your other projects in one place! Genius! Can’t wait to check out your holiday cover for GGF!

Do you barely ever get figs up there? We barely ever get figs down here; a midwest thing, for certain, as i watch everyone from california figging it out for months on end. And they’re so sexy, too…just look at them sitting there on that toast, and then all that honey…seriously. I could eat these for DAYS. I miss figs: i saw a few fresh ones the other day, didn’t grab them, and poof: gone.
i LOVE THE NEW SITE!!! I knew i recognized the designer’s name – is that the one Movita used? Beautiful work: it looks lovely. i haven’t had a chance to really go through it but everything i see is just perfectly lovely. yay! It’s on my list of things to do but sheesh…the time. :)

We get figs here, but we barely ever get figs that are any good. We get battered up mushy figs, or rock hard figs that never ripen quite right, or figs that look deceptively good but are low on flavor. It’s rare to find any that are quite like the ones you can get in warmer areas, but I was lucky enough to find good ones for these toasts. You could, however, get a similar flavor effect by schmearing a little bit of fig preserves over the goat cheese, because fig preserves be delicious no matter where you live, or what season it is. (Man, do I love me some fig preserves!)

And YES, it is the same designer who did Movita’s site! That’s how I heard about her, and she was absolutely wonderful to work with. I contacted a bunch of other designers and did a lot of hemming and hawing before finally taking the plunge, and of all the ones I talked to she was by far the most professional. I’m really glad I went with her, and would recommend her in a heartbeat if you’re ever in need of a design guru. Seriously, I can’t say enough good things. :)

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[…] course Figs pair perfectly with a creamy white cheese! Take these Fig, Rosemary and Goat Cheese Tartine recipe from Will Cook for Friends to your next get together and they are sure to be gone within […]

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Welcome to my kitchen! I'm Willow - writer, photographer, and lover of food. I enjoy salads and desserts equally, and believe food doesn't have to be complicated to be good. My favorite thing in the whole world is getting together with friends around the table, hence the name of this blog: Will Cook For Friends. And you guys? You are my friends, too. So pull up a chair, and dig in!